Page 108 of The King Contract
“Thanks, Mack.”
We stand in comfortable silence as the jazz music hums around us. That is until, Mack turns back to me. “How long is yours and King’s pretending schtick going to go on for, anyway? You guys got an exit plan?”
I tilt my head, unsure if I’ve heard correctly. Mack mimics me, before wiping his smile off his face. “I mean?—”
My mouth drops open. “Youknow?”
“Um, yes?” Mack admits.
“Have you told anyone?”
Mack purses his lips. “Why does everyone think I’d tell? I might enjoy gossip, but I’d never betray Noah like that. Or you, for that matter.”
“Sorry.” I frown at my own response. “That was shitty of me.”
“It’s okay,” he assures me, sliding his hands into his pockets. “Iama chatterbox. My mum said I came out of the womb talking.”
I smile. “How long have you known?”
“I guessed before we went camping,” he replies proudly. “I called his bluff and right when I thought he was going to deny it, he admitted it. To be fair, you guys have pulled this off better than I expected.”
The fact the people around us know about this arrangement no longer feels like an issue, given the brief conversation Noah and I had on the beach yesterday. It also makes me feel better to know Noah had friends he could offload to, while I could speak to Ellis.
Dan returns holding two beers and a glass of champagne. He hands me my drink, and Mack his, before hitting Mack up the back of the head. “Ow!”
“You’re a fucking blabbermouth,” he scolds.
Mack holds the back of his head, the vein in his temple pulsating as he glares at Dan. “How did?—”
“I know you better than you know yourself,” Dan cuts in. “And I could hear you talking from across the goddamned room.”
“I’m glad you know.” My lips twist into a smile. “Truth be told, I’m not a great pretender.”
Mack forgets the ache at the back of his head, leaning in. “We’ve heard. Are you into him, for real?”
Dan throws his arms out. “Seriously?”
My cheeks flush as Mack looks perplexed. “What? I’m asking the direct questions. You pansies spend so long making shit up in your own brains, someone has to take control.”
Mack lifts his glass in a ‘cheers’ movement. “On that note, let’s toast to how I’m a genius for coming up with the fake-dating idea. I want you to name your firstborn after me for my brilliance. He told you it was my idea, right?” He takes a swig before turning to the door. “I see cars approaching. I shall take my post greeting your guests. You’re going to kill this.”
Mack heads towards the door, leaving me with my thoughts whirling and Dan’s intense gaze burning into me. “What?”
Dan’s movements are slow as he takes another swig of beer. He wipes his beer moustache away with the back of his hand. “Mack runs a million miles a minute, but he makes some good points.” Dan looks around to make sure no one’s in earshot. “I don’t want to see either of you get hurt.”
“I have no intention of hurting Noah,” I assure him.
“I know.” Dan pauses. “I just want both of you to protect yourselves.”
The concern on Dan’s face triggers an alarm in my chest, a warning. He knows Noah better than anyone, and he was there when he dragged him out of California and back home, instilling a sense of calm. The fallout with Sofia was ugly, especially in the press, and Dan was an eyewitness to every step of it. I’m certain he doesn’t want a repeat of that.
“I know you’re protecting your friends,” I assure him, before wincing, anticipating his reaction to my next words. “Noah told me about Sarah.”
Dan’s mouth forms into a flat line, a tic beneath his beard unmissable. “Did he?”
“I asked,” I say hurriedly. “It makes sense why this whole situation hasn’t exactly been your cup of tea. I’m sorry for making you uncomfortable.”
“Don’t be sorry. They’re separate situations. Turns out, I’m a little sensitive.” He sighs. “I know your situation is different, but the idea of people pretending to care about each other to get ahead . . . I figured there was no way someone wouldn’t get hurt.” He gives me a knowing look, and I swallow down the dryness in my throat.
